This report elaborates a new framework for the engagement of the engineering & construction industry sector during relief, recovery and prevention efforts as a result of natural disasters. The framework, called the Engineering & Construction Disaster Resource Partnership (DRP), builds on the experience of the Forum’s Disaster Resource Network (DRN) in India and Mexico, and the Logistics & Transport Industry’s Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs). Both of these models have demonstrated the critical role that industry can play during natural disasters and the broader partnership potential with government, the humanitarian community and other key stakeholders.

The annual number of natural disasters has more than doubled since 1980. Statistics indicate that hydrometeorological events (such as flooding and cyclones) have increased dramatically, while those caused by geophysical events (such as earthquakes and volcanoes) have remained relatively stable. This suggests that the increase in weather-affected events is very likely the result of environmental degradation and climate change.

The Global Humanitarian Forum estimates that 40% of the total increase in natural disasters since 1980 can be attributed to climate change. Future projections indicate that by 2030 the annual number of weather-related disasters will be three times higher than during the last three decades.6 Evidence suggests that smaller disasters are increasing in frequency more quickly than larger ones, but the impact of frequent smaller events on a community may be just as severe.

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